Shelf Brackets, Hang Rod Brackets, and Storage Systems Including the Same

ABSTRACT

In an exemplary embodiment, a hang rod bracket may include a tab along an upper portion of the hang rod bracket. A shelf bracket may include a resiliently flexible tang along a lower portion of the shelf bracket. The resiliently flexible tang may be resiliently movable in a first direction when impinged by the tab of the hang rod bracket, such as during installation of the hang rod bracket onto the shelf bracket. The resiliently flexible tang may be resiliently movable in a second, opposite direction when the tab is not impinging the resiliently flexible tang, such as after the hang rod bracket has been fully installed onto the shelf bracket and the tab has been rearwardly moved beyond the resiliently flexible tang. The resiliently flexible tang may engage the tab to inhibit forward movement of the hang rod bracket along the shelf bracket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/684,188 filed Aug. 23, 2017 (issuing as U.S.patent Ser. No. 10,098,460 on Oct. 16, 2018). The entire disclosure ofthe above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to storage systems, such as acloset storage system including shelf brackets for supporting shelvesand hang rod brackets for supporting hang rods or poles beneath theshelves.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Efficient and organized use of building space is very desirable,particularly with respect to storage or utility space in businesses,residential homes, and apartments. In particular, because of the limitedor tight spaces in these locations, increasing the amount of useablespace is very important. Likewise, providing ease in access andincreased user convenience is important.

With respect to closet organization and the design of closet storageunits, particularly for residential use, many different options areavailable including, for example, different sizes and shapes of shelves,different attachment and mounting members and different storage members(e.g., wire baskets, shoe-stands, tie/belt racks, hang rods, etc.). Easein accessing stored items, such as clothing, is important. Further, easein moving stored items to make room for other items or to access itemsnot readily accessible, is likewise important. For example, poles orhang rods may be supported beneath a shelf to provide for relativelyeasy movement of items along the hang rod, for example, sliding clotheson hangers along the pole or hang rod.

Standards may be used for supporting shelf brackets, such as within acloset, etc. A typical standard may include a relatively narrow strip ofmaterial with two columns of slots on the front surface thereof. Thestandard may be mounted vertically against a back wall of a closet.Shelf brackets may be supported from the standard by inserting tabs ofthe shelf brackets into corresponding slots of the standard.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage system according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are exploded upper and lower perspective views of theupper shelf brackets, hang rod brackets, pole cups, and hang rod or poleshown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are upper and lower perspective views of the shelfbrackets, hang rod brackets, pole cups, and hang rod or pole shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 after being assembled together. The hang rod brackets aresupported or suspended from the shelf brackets. The hang rod or pole issupported within the pole cups that are coupled to the hang rodbrackets.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a shelf bracket, hang rod bracket,and pole cup shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of one of the two hang rod bracketsshown in FIGS. 2 through 5.

FIG. 8 is a lower perspective view of the hang rod bracket shown in FIG.7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the hang rod bracket shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the hang rod bracket shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a back view of the hang rod bracket shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the hang rod bracket shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the hang rod bracket shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 14 is a front lower perspective view of one of the two shelfbracket shown in FIGS. 2 through 5. The shelf bracket may be supportedby a standard mounted against a wall by inserting tabs of the shelfbracket within slots of the standard. The shelf bracket may then be usedto help support a shelf (e.g., ventilated or wire shelf, laminate shelf,wooden shelf, etc.).

FIG. 15 is a back upper perspective view of the shelf bracket shown inFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the shelf bracket shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the shelf bracket shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the shelf bracket shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the shelf bracket shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 20 is a back view of the shelf bracket shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 21 is an upper perspective view of one of the two pole cups shownin FIGS. 2 through 5. The pole cup may be attached to a hang rodbracket. The pole cup may be used for helping to support a hang rod orpole.

FIG. 22 is a lower perspective view of the pole cup shown in FIGS. 1through 5.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the pole cup shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.

FIG. 24 is a front view of the pole cup shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.

FIG. 25 is a back view of the pole cup shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.

FIG. 26 is a top view of the pole cup shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. and

FIG. 27 is a bottom view of the pole cup shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplaryembodiments are disclosed of shelf brackets for supporting shelvesand/or hang rod brackets for supporting hang rods or poles beneath theshelf brackets and shelves supported thereby. The hang rod brackets areconfigured to be suspended or supported from the shelf brackets. Alsodisclosed are exemplary embodiments of storage systems including theshelf brackets and/or hang rod brackets

In exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, the hang rod bracket maycomprise a generally flat J-shaped or hook-shaped bracket (e.g., stampedsheet metal, plastic, etc.). A first or upper end portion of the hangrod bracket may include one or more tabs configured to be insertedwithin slots or openings along a lower portion of a shelf bracket tothereby suspend or support the hang rod bracket from the shelf bracket.A pole cup may be integrally formed with, fixedly attached to (e.g.,welded, adhesively bonded, etc.), or removably attached to (e.g., via afriction, interference, or snap fit, etc.) a second or lower end portionof the hang rod bracket.

The hang rod bracket and shelf bracket may be cooperatively configuredto provide an attachment mechanism (e.g., tab, slot, lock, etc.) forattaching the hang rod bracket to the shelf bracket in a manner thatprovides enhanced safety and functionality. As disclosed herein, theshelf bracket may include a resiliently flexible portion, tab, flap, ortang that will flex out of the way when impinged by a tab along thefirst or upper end portion of the hang rod bracket. After the tabs ofthe hang rod bracket have been fully inserted into the openings alongthe lower surface of the shelf bracket, the resiliently flexibleportion, tab, flap, or tang of the shelf bracket will resiliently flex,snap, or move back into its original place thereby preventing accidentaldisengagement of the hang rod bracket from the shelf bracket.

The hang rod bracket may also include embossing or portions (e.g.,embossed or stamped portions, etc.) protruding outwardly in oppositedirections relative to a neutral center plane of the hang rod bracket.The embossing may provide enhanced lateral stability for the singletab/slot configuration of the hang rod bracket in exemplary embodiments.

The pole cups may be configured to engagingly receive portions (e.g.,circumferential portions, etc.) of a hang rod or pole therein to therebyhelp support the hang rod or pole beneath the shelf brackets and shelfsupported atop the shelf brackets. By way of example, the pole cups maybe configured (e.g., made of resilient flexible material, etc.) to allowdifferently sized hang rods (e.g., hang rods having different diameters,etc.) to be used with the pole cups. The pole cups may be configuredsuch that a friction, interference or snap fit is created between thepole cups and the hang rod or pole, which helps inhibit accidentalremoval of the hang rod or pole out of the pole cups.

The second or lower end portion of the hang rod bracket may include ahole or opening, which may be used for hanging the hang rod bracket whenbeing coated. For example, the hole of the metal version of the hang rodbracket may be used for hanging the metal hang rod bracket when themetal is being coated with epoxy. The hole is located along the secondend portion of the hang rod bracket such that the hole will be fullyconcealed when the pole cup (e.g., metal or plastic pole cup, etc.) isremovably attached to the second end portion of the hang rod bracket.For example, the second end portion of the hang rod bracket may beinserted into a slot (broadly, an opening) in the pole cup to therebyremovably attach (e.g., via a friction, interference or snap fit, etc.)the pole cup to the hang rod bracket. The hole in the hang rod bracketand the pole cup may be cooperatively configured such that the hole andany hanging marks are underneath and thus concealed by the pole cup.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of astorage system 100 embodying one or more aspects of the presentdisclosure. As shown, the storage system 100 generally includes an upperor first pair of shelf brackets 104, first and second (or left andright) hang rod brackets 108, first and second (or left and right) polecups 112, a hang rod or pole 116, a ventilated or wire shelf 120, asecond or lower pair of shelf brackets 124, a shelf 128 (e.g., laminateshelf, wooden shelf, plank shelf, etc.), and vertical uprights orstandards 132.

As shown in FIG. 1, each standard or vertical upright 132 comprises arelatively narrow strip of material with two columns of slots 136defined along the front surface of the standard 132. The standards 132may be mounted vertically against a wall (e.g., a back wall of a closet,etc.). For example, the standards 132 may be fixedly mounted to a wallusing screws, such that the standard is not generally adjustable,movable, or removable from its installed position. Or, for example, thestandards 132 may be suspended from and slidably along a horizontaltrack or rail, which, in turn, is mounted to the wall.

The shelf brackets 104 may be supported from the corresponding standards132 by inserting the tabs 140, 144 (FIGS. 14-16) of the shelf brackets104 into corresponding slots 136 of the standards 132 (FIG. 1). Theshelf brackets 104 may be constructed of any suitable material. By wayof example only, the shelf brackets 104 may be formed from sheet metal.In addition, the shelf brackets 104 may also be provided in variouslengths depending, for example, on the width of the particular shelf 120to be supported by the brackets. For example, the shelf brackets 104 mayeach have an overall length of about sixteen inches (e.g., 16.34 inches,etc.) in some embodiments. Also by way of example, the shelf brackets104 may each have an overall length of about twelve inches (e.g., 12.44inches, etc.) in some embodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 14-16, each shelf bracket 104 includes a main bodyportion 148 and the tabs 140, 144. Each shelf bracket 104 may be mountedto the standard 132 by inserting the tabs 140, 144 located on therearward end portion of the shelf bracket 104 into corresponding slots136 of the standard 132. The upper tabs 140 begin at about the pointwhere the back portion of the shelf bracket 104 extends outwardly andthen in a downward direction, to thereby form or define a notch 152(FIG. 16) between the main body portion 148 and the tab 140. Each notch152 may be configured relative to (e.g., about equal to, greater than,less than) a thickness of the front surface portion of the standard 132.This may allow the shelf bracket 104 to be hooked onto the standard 132by inserting the tabs 140 into slots 136 and then moving the shelfbracket 104 downward relative to the standard 132 so as to receive amounting portion of the standard 132 within the notch 152. The notch 152may have a full radius to prevent (or inhibit) tearing of material whenplaced in a loaded condition, and to assist in installation of thebracket tab 140 to the standard 132. A mounting portion of the standard132 is generally referred to as that portion of the standard 132 that isreceived within and fits into the notch 152.

The shelf bracket 104 further includes lower or middle tabs 144 locatedat about the center of the back portion of the shelf bracket 104. Thetabs 144 extend generally downwardly and form or define notches 156.Tabs 144, in conjunction with notches 156, may generally inhibit thefront end of the shelf bracket 104 from being pushed up and becomingdislodged from the standard 132, and may also provide increasedload-bearing capacity to shelf bracket 104. The upper portions of thetabs 144 protrude slightly and may operate or act as a stop when theshelf bracket 104 is installed to the standard 132. During use, the tabupper portions may help inhibit the shelf bracket 104 from beingdislodged from the standard 132, for example, when the shelf bracket 104is pushed in an upward direction. By way of example, FIG. 1 illustratestwo shelf brackets 104 supported by the standard 132 where the two shelfbrackets 104 are supporting the wire shelf 120.

With continued reference to FIGS. 14 through 16, the shelf brackets 104also include tabs 160 extending outwardly relative to or along the topsurface. The tabs 160 work in conjunction with notches 166 to hold arear longitudinal rod of the wire shelf 120 (FIG. 1) in place such thatrear longitudinal rod will not shift when a load is placed on the shelf120. The tabs 160 may be bent downwardly over longitudinal rod andnotches 166 after the shelf 120 is installed to thereby lock the rearlongitudinal rod of the shelf 120 into place.

In another exemplary embodiment, the shelf brackets may further includetabs or projections (not shown) along the bottom of the shelf brackets.These tabs may be configured (e.g., sized, shaped, located, etc.) toalso be received in slots 136 of the standard 132 when the shelfbrackets are installed to the standard 132. Accordingly, this exemplaryembodiment may include installing the shelf brackets to the standard byinserting all three sets of tabs in respective upper, middle, and lowerpairs of slots 136 of the standard 132.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 14, 17, and 18, the shelf brackets 104 includefirst and second recesses or openings 170, 174 along the bottom portionsof the shelf brackets 104. The openings 170, 174 are configured (e.g.,sized, shaped, located, etc.) so as to engagingly receive first andsecond tabs 178, 182 of the hang rod brackets 108 as shown in FIG. 3, tothereby suspend or support the hang rod bracket 108 therefrom. Theparticular configuration (e.g., shape, spacing, location, etc.) of theopenings 170, 174 may depend, for example, on the particularconfiguration of the tabs 178, 182 of the hang rod support brackets 108to be supported or suspended from the shelf brackets 104.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 14, each shelf bracket 104 also includes aresilient flexible tabs, tangs, or flap 184 (broadly, portions) thatwill flex or pivot inwardly out of the way when impinged by the third orrearward tab 186 along the first or upper end portion of the hang rodbracket 108. For example, the resilient flexible tab, tang, or flap 184may flex or move inwardly into an opening that was formed in the bottomportion of the shelf bracket 104 when the resilient flexible tabs,tangs, or flap 184 was stamped from and bent outwardly relative to thebottom portion of the shelf bracket 104.

After the first and second tabs 178, 182 of the hang rod bracket 108have been inserted into the respective first and second openings 170,174 along the lower portion of the shelf bracket 104, the hang rodbracket 108 may then be slidably moved rearward relative to the shelfbracket 104. During this relative sliding movement, the third tab 186 ofthe hang rod bracket 108 may contact and cause the shelf brackets'resilient flexible tab 184 to flex or move inwardly away from the hangrod bracket's tab 186 thereby allowing the tab 186 to move across andbeyond the shelf bracket's resilient flexible tab 184. The resilientlyflexible tab 184 of the shelf bracket 104 may then resiliently flex,snap, or move back into its original, unflexed position. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the resiliently flexible tabs 184 of the shelf brackets104 may lockingly engage or contact upwardly protruding hook or latchingportions of the third tabs 186 of the hang rod brackets 108 to therebyinhibit forward sliding movement of the hang rod brackets 108 relativeto the shelf brackets 104. This, in turn, help inhibit accidentaldisengagement of the hang rod brackets 108 from the shelf brackets 104.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the hang rod bracket 108 includes a slot,notch or opening 188 defined generally underneath the second tab 182.The notch 188 may be configured relative to (e.g., about equal to,greater than, less than) a thickness of the lower portion of the shelfbracket 104. This may allow the hang rod bracket 108 to be hooked ontothe shelf bracket 104 by inserting the hang rod bracket's second tab 182into the shelf bracket's opening 174 and then slidably moving the hangrod bracket 108 rearward relative to the shelf bracket 104 such that aportion of the shelf bracket 104 is received within the notch 188. Inthe fully installed position, the hang rod bracket's second and thirdtabs 182 and 186 may be disposed along opposite interior and exteriorsurfaces of the shelf bracket 104.

With continued reference in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the hang rod bracket'stabs 178 and 182 extend in opposite forward and rearward directionsrelative to a main body 190 of the hang rod bracket 108. The hang rodbracket 108 may also include a hole or opening 192, which may be usedfor hanging the hang rod bracket 108 when being coated. The hole 192 islocated along the second end portion of the hang rod bracket 108 suchthat the hole 192 will be fully concealed when the pole cup 112 isremovably attached to the second end portion of the hang rod bracket108. As shown in FIG. 12, the hang rod bracket 108 may also includeembossing 194 (e.g., embossed or stamped portions, etc.) protrudingoutwardly in opposite directions relative to a neutral center plane ofthe hang rod bracket 104. The embossing 194 may provide enhanced lateralstability for the single tab/slot configuration of the hang rod bracket108.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second end portion of the hang rod bracket 108may be inserted into a slot 196 (broadly, an opening) in the pole cup112 to thereby removably attach (e.g., via a friction, interference orsnap fit, etc.) the pole cup 112 to the hang rod bracket 108.Alternative embodiments may include a pole cup that is removablyattached differently, fixedly attached to (e.g., welded, adhesivelybonded, etc.), or integrally formed with a hang rod bracket.

As shown in FIGS. 21, 22, and 23, the pole cup 112 includes an opening197 in which a portion of the hang rod or pole 116 may rest whensupported thereby. The opening 197 has a generally C-shaped profile. Thepole cup 112 may also include generally opposing ribs or protrudingportions 198 along the top of the opening 197. The ribs 198 may helpretain the portion of the hang rod or pole 116 within the opening 197,and thereby help inhibit accidental removal of the hang rod or pole 116out of the pole cup 112.

The hang rod or pole 116 may comprise a single-piece pole, a multi-piecepole, and/or telescopically adjustable hang rod or pole, etc. The hangrod 116 may be hollow or solid. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 2, the hang rod 116 is hollow, and end caps 199 may be insertedinto the open end portions of the hollow hang rod 116. By way ofexample, the end caps 199 may be configured as self-adjusting press fitend caps, which may be used to help inhibit hangers from sliding off theend of the hang rod 116. As shown in FIG. 2, the end caps 199 includeforks or end portions having protrusions thereon in a sawtooth or jaggedconfiguration. When the end caps 199 are inserted, the forks may becompressed generally towards each other for fitting into the open endportions of the hollow hang rod 116. The forks may have sufficientrestorative force for urging the forks outwardly to spread apart therebycreating a relatively good friction or interference fit between theforks and interior sidewalls of the hollow hang rod 116. Alternativeembodiments may include differently configured end caps or no end caps.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hang rod 116 may be supported from below by thefirst and second end cups 112 such that the first and second end cups112 do not interfere with sliding movement of clothes hangers along thehang rod 116. Clothes hangers may be freely slidable along the hang rod116 without interference from the first and second end cups 112, hangrod 116, or hang rod brackets 108.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail. In addition, advantages and improvements that maybe achieved with one or more exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure are provided for purpose of illustration only and do notlimit the scope of the present disclosure, as exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein may provide all or none of the above mentionedadvantages and improvements and still fall within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapesdisclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values andparticular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive ofother values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more ofthe examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any twoparticular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define theendpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the givenparameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second value fora given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any valuebetween the first and second values could also be employed for the givenparameter). For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to havevalue A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned thatparameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z.Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges ofvalues for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping ordistinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value thatmight be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example,if parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may haveother ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3,3-10, and 3-9.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

The term “about” when applied to values indicates that the calculationor the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (withsome approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonablyclose to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecisionprovided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with thisordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at leastvariations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or usingsuch parameters. For example, the terms “generally,” “about,” and“substantially,” may be used herein to mean within manufacturingtolerances. Whether or not modified by the term “about,” the claimsinclude equivalents to the quantities.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region,layer or section without departing from the teachings of the exampleembodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements, intended orstated uses, or features of a particular embodiment are generally notlimited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, areinterchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if notspecifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in manyways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from thedisclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hang rod bracket comprising first, second, andthird tabs along an upper portion of the hang rod bracket, wherein thefirst and second tabs of the hang rod bracket extend in opposite forwardand rearward directions and are configured to be received within firstand second openings of a shelf bracket.
 2. The hang rod bracket of claim1, wherein: the hang rod bracket includes a notch defined generallyunderneath the second tab; and the notch is configured to receive aportion of the shelf bracket therein such that the second and third tabsof the hang rod bracket are positionable along opposite interior andexterior surfaces, respectively, of a lower portion of the shelfbracket.
 3. The hang rod bracket of claim 1, wherein the third tabincludes an upwardly protruding hook.
 4. The hang rod bracket of claim3, wherein the third tab is configured to impinge a resiliently flexibletang along the lower portion of the hang rod bracket such that theresiliently flexible tang resiliently flexes inwardly from an originalposition when impinged by the third tab and resiliently flexes outwardlyback towards the original position after the third tab has been slidablymoved across and beyond the resiliently flexible tang, whereupon theresiliently flexible tang lockingly engages the upwardly protruding hookof the third tab to inhibit forward sliding of the hang rod bracketalong the shelf bracket thereby helping to prevent accidentaldisengagement of the hang rod bracket from the shelf bracket.
 5. Thehang rod bracket of claim 3, wherein the third tab is configured toimpinge a resiliently flexible tang along the lower portion of the hangrod bracket such that the resiliently flexible tang resiliently moves ina first direction when impinged by the third tab of the hang rod bracketand resiliently moves in a second, opposite direction when the third tabhas been rearwardly moved relative to the resiliently flexible tang suchthat the third tab is behind and no longer impinging the resilientlyflexible tang, whereby the resiliently flexible tang is engageable withthe third tab to inhibit forward movement of the hang rod bracket alongthe shelf bracket.
 6. The hang rod bracket of claim 1, wherein the hangrod bracket includes a main body having embossing in opposite directionsrelative to a neutral center plane of the hang rod bracket.
 7. The hangrod bracket of claim 1, wherein the hang rod bracket includes a pole cupattached to a lower portion of the hang rod bracket, the pole cupconfigured for receiving a portion of a hang rod therein.
 8. The hangrod bracket of claim 1, wherein the hang rod bracket includes a pole cupintegrally formed with a lower portion of the hang rod bracket, the polecup configured for receiving a portion of a hang rod therein.
 9. Thehang rod bracket of claim 1, wherein: the hang rod bracket includes anotch defined generally underneath the second tab, the notch isconfigured to receive a portion of the shelf bracket therein such thatthe second and third tabs of the hang rod bracket are positionable alongopposite interior and exterior surfaces, respectively, of a lowerportion of the shelf bracket; the third tab includes an upwardlyprotruding hook; the hang rod bracket includes a main body havingembossing in opposite directions relative to a neutral center plane ofthe hang rod bracket; and the hang rod bracket includes a pole cupattached to or integrally formed with a lower portion of the hang rodbracket, the pole cup configured for receiving a portion of a hang rodtherein.
 10. A storage system comprising first and second hang rodbrackets of claim 1 and first and second shelf brackets, wherein thefirst and second hang rod brackets are configured to be supported by therespective first and second shelf brackets.
 11. The storage system ofclaim 10, further comprising: a hang rod including first and secondportions; first and second pole cups attached to or integrally formedwith lower portions of the respective first and second hang rodbrackets, the first pole cup configured for receiving the first portionof the hang rod, the second pole cup configured for receiving the secondportion of the hang rod; and a shelf configured to be supported alongupper portions of the first and second shelf brackets; whereby the hangrod is supportable below the shelf by the respective first and secondpole cups when the first and second hang rod brackets are supported bythe respective first and second shelf brackets and when the shelf issupported along the upper portions of the first and second shelfbrackets.
 12. An assembly comprising the hang rod bracket of claim 1 andthe shelf bracket including the first and second openings.
 13. Theassembly of claim 12, wherein the shelf bracket further comprises aresiliently flexible tang along a lower portion of the shelf bracket.14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the resiliently flexible tang isconfigured to be resiliently movable in a first direction when impingedby the third tab of the hang rod bracket and resiliently movable in asecond, opposite direction when the third tab has been rearwardly movedrelative to the resiliently flexible tang such that the third tab isbehind and no longer impinging the resiliently flexible tang.
 15. Theassembly of claim 14, wherein the resiliently flexible tang isengageable with the third tab to inhibit forward movement of the hangrod bracket along the shelf bracket when the third tab has beenrearwardly moved relative to the resiliently flexible tang such that thethird tab is behind and no longer impinging the resiliently flexibletang.
 16. A storage system comprising: a shelf bracket including anupper portion configured for supporting a portion of a shelf thereon,and a lower portion including first and second openings; and a hang rodbracket including first, second, and third tabs along an upper portionof the hang rod bracket, the first and second tabs of the hang rodbracket extending in opposite forward and rearward directions and areconfigured to be received within first and second openings of a shelfbracket.
 17. The storage system of claim 16, wherein: the hang rodbracket includes a notch defined generally underneath the second tab,the notch is configured to receive a portion of the shelf brackettherein such that the second and third tabs of the hang rod bracket arepositionable along opposite interior and exterior surfaces,respectively, of a lower portion of the shelf bracket; the third tabincludes an upwardly protruding hook; the hang rod bracket includes amain body having embossing in opposite directions relative to a neutralcenter plane of the hang rod bracket; and the hang rod bracket includesa pole cup attached to or integrally formed with a lower portion of thehang rod bracket, the pole cup configured for receiving a portion of ahang rod therein.
 18. The storage system of claim 16, wherein: the shelfbracket comprises first and second shelf brackets; the hang rod bracketcomprises first and second hang rod brackets configured to be supportedby the respective first and second shelf brackets; wherein the storagesystem further comprises: a hang rod including first and secondportions; first and second pole cups attached to or integrally formedwith lower portions of the respective first and second hang rodbrackets, the first pole cup configured for receiving the first portionof the hang rod, the second pole cup configured for receiving the secondportion of the hang rod; and a shelf configured to be supported alongupper portions of the first and second shelf brackets; whereby the hangrod is supportable below the shelf by the respective first and secondpole cups when the first and second hang rod brackets are supported bythe respective first and second shelf brackets and when the shelf issupported along the upper portions of the first and second shelfbrackets.
 19. A storage system comprising: first and second hang rodbrackets each including first, second, and third tabs along an upperportion of the corresponding first and second hang rod brackets, thefirst and second tabs of the hang rod bracket extending in oppositeforward and rearward directions; and first and second shelf bracketseach including first and second openings along a lower portion of thecorresponding first and second shelf bracket, wherein the first andsecond openings are configured for receiving the first and second tabs,respectively, of the corresponding first and second hang rod brackets tothereby support the first and second hang rod brackets from thecorresponding first and second shelf brackets.
 20. The storage system ofclaim 19, wherein: the hang rod bracket includes a notch definedgenerally underneath the second tab, the notch is configured to receivea portion of the shelf bracket therein such that the second and thirdtabs of the hang rod bracket are positionable along opposite interiorand exterior surfaces, respectively, of a lower portion of the shelfbracket; the third tab includes an upwardly protruding hook; the hangrod bracket includes a main body having embossing in opposite directionsrelative to a neutral center plane of the hang rod bracket; and the hangrod bracket includes a pole cup attached to or integrally formed with alower portion of the hang rod bracket, the pole cup configured forreceiving a portion of a hang rod therein; and wherein the storagesystem further comprises: a hang rod including first and secondportions; first and second pole cups attached to or integrally formedwith lower portions of the respective first and second hang rodbrackets, the first pole cup configured for receiving the first portionof the hang rod, the second pole cup configured for receiving the secondportion of the hang rod; and a shelf configured to be supported alongupper portions of the first and second shelf brackets; whereby the hangrod is supportable below the shelf by the respective first and secondpole cups when the first and second hang rod brackets are supported bythe respective first and second shelf brackets and when the shelf issupported along the upper portions of the first and second shelfbrackets.